The History of Christian Theology

Lecture 4: The Synoptic Gospels

The scenes in which Jesus confronts his judges constitute the high point of

the Passion narrative, because once again the issue is who you say Jesus is.

His enigmatic answer to the priests demanding that he say whether he is the

Son of God is: “You’re saying it!” He is turning the tables on them: They

want to know who he says he is, whereas he is pointing out who they say he

is. It turns out the judges are being judged by whether they understand what

they’re saying and by who they say Jesus is—like Peter! Pilate, the Roman

governor, asks him if he is the King of the Jews, which is another way of

saying Messiah. Again Jesus turns the tables by replying: “You’re saying it!”

After turning the tables on his judges in this way, Jesus refers to himself as

the “Son of Man,” who will come on the clouds of heaven. Once again, he is

alluding to Daniel’s vision of “one like a Son of Man” coming on the clouds

of heaven to be presented before the throne of God. The title “Son of Man”

is thus a reference to his exaltation at God’s right hand. It also points to his

return in glory, coming on the clouds of heaven.

Because of their narrative strategy, the Gospels are not helpful in ¿ nding

a historical Jesus apart from the Christ of faith. Ironically, Pilate had the

charge against Jesus tacked up on his cross: “King of the Jews.” Without

understanding at all, Pilate got it right. Ŷ

Gospel of Luke.

Gospel of Mark.

Gospel of Matthew.

Brown, An Introduction to New Testament Christology.

1. What is it about the Gospel that is supposed to be good news?


2. Who is Jesus, really?

Suggested Reading

Questions to Consider